3rd Alarm Factory Fire Mt Barker

[Darius]

MFS Stations do use CFS to back them up when they are much closer than other MFS stations..

sometimes they do, sometimes not. Eg. the second alarm at Mitcham the other day went to MFS from Adelaide, Paradise, Prospect etc and no CFS at all were called even though Sturt group brigades and Burnside are closer and appropriate.

[Zippy]

MFS Stations do use CFS to back them up when they are much closer than other MFS stations..

sometimes they do, sometimes not. Eg. the second alarm at Mitcham the other day went to MFS from Adelaide, Paradise, Prospect etc and no CFS at all were called even though Sturt group brigades and Burnside are closer and appropriate.

thats boms for ya...

Now whats the SOP Number for CFS's default policy??? Add SACAD to the mix....i think Mt Barker may get its backup sooner...

[tft]

Jaff, my post said the short term answer is to move an appliance.
Anything like an amalgamation in the CFS will take forever

[Zippy]

Jaff, my post said the short term answer is to move an appliance.
Anything like an amalgamation in the CFS will take forever

It will take a total of 8 commitee meetings, 4 group commitee meetings, 2 RVMC meetings, a COAC meeting....then followed by 12 more commitee meetings....

Its 2009 now, so that makes it.....2011.

[jaff]

Jaff, my post said the short term answer is to move an appliance.
Anything like an amalgamation in the CFS will take forever

Agreed! But an additional Urban appliance is the preferred option!

Forever has no end date, I think amalgamation will be progressed way faster than that, sorta like a parting gift I rekon!

[Zippy]

Jaff, my post said the short term answer is to move an appliance.
Anything like an amalgamation in the CFS will take forever

Agreed! But an additional Urban appliance is the preferred option!

Forever has no end date, I think amalgamation will be progressed way faster than that, sorta like a parting gift I rekon!

Just have to send a page to CFS R1 Info with  "MBRK: R1 Staff Alpha 24 Respond 3rd alarm...We need your help now."

;)

[Darren]

Just send an all region page "anyone near this fire, go now"

[Zippy]

Wonder if CFA will share any spare pumpers...

[Darren]

Barker boys do very well.

Jason/Darren - What are you alluding to with 'CFS need to look at something... take some pressure of the Brigade...' and 'all you seem to do is give them a hard time'.
What is happening?  What is the solution?

From what I know and from the time I spent there, there is little support from the staff, in regards to appropriate resources, help to recruit, help with specialist equipment, training, risk planning etc.

I know we keep singling Mt Barker out as a case, but they are the most prominent.

I know that they don't have the crew levels of the past, and they lost a large number of appliances over the years to their present 3 trucks.

But it seems that CFS seem more interested in picking up on the faults, than helping fix the glaring issues that affect the town.

For starters the appliance make up isn't right.

1 pumper that also doubles as the Rescue appliance. Doesn't have enough equipment to do anything properly.
They are the busiest RCR brigade by a long way, the stats don't lie. They are on a major highway and had their air bags taken off them, I was there when it happened, complete insanity!! Couldn't fit the stokes litter on, were told just bring it on another truck, and besides "you only want that so you can carry your gear" I mean really!!

That town is clearly a 2 pumper town, no ifs or butts, the amount of boosting, multiple calls occasions, the support requirements for out of town etc etc Yet there is a truck at Hahndorf that doesn't do anything, in fact I was there when we borrowed it whilst the infamous Dennis was offline, and the water was jet black !

You would think having the region in the town would help, it almost seems they try their hardest to not help Mt Barker.

The gas leak job, instead of helping, they undermine the brigade and go down after with monitoring gear which the brigade should have anyway. Not to mention having the specialist skills and training would help identify problems like that!

Just constant crap like that, a brigade like that in a high profile town should have anything and everything.
Like was proven the backup isn't there.

All brigades have issues of recruiting etc, but on the coal face there appears to be little if any help, or you have to almost abuse someone or bypass the chain of command to get anything done!

If I was a ratepayer and levy payer I would be scared, I know we are only volunteers, but that doesn't mean you can smile and give us a medal and hope we go away we also have business's and homes in these towns! We want the best for the people we protect.

I know a fulltime crew wouldn't help, but they would almost be better off handing it over to the MFS and tell them to staff it. Then the CFS wouldn't have the liability and the poor beaten officers at Mt Barker can take it easy.

I know the ministers office and CFS monitor this site.

How about some help, if I cop it from you for saying what I think, then so be it, you will just lose another volunteer, why do we keep putting ourselves through this crap, because we care, and keep putting up with a sub standard fire service because no one else will do it. We get told we have no money, well that only works for so long, how about standing up for your service, tell them the real state of our once proud organisation. We don't have the resources on the ground we used to, helicopters don't put out house fires, or cut people from cars, or check the quality alarm systems! It makes me sick when I think what we could purchase for the contract cost of the Erickson Aircrane!

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN BUSHFIRES !!!!!!!!

[Chinny]

HERE! HERE! Darren for Premier!

I think that was one of the best reads on this site!

[Darren]

Calm down, not everyone likes me.....I just have opinions  :-)

[6739264]

Yesterday was another situation that highlighted SA needing some sort of paid fire service in large country centres to get a sufficient response for fires.

Chirst would someone tell the MFESB that they've got our damn Grand Prix, so can they leave poor SA alone? Mind you, if you went to the UFU about it...

Mt Barker can easily gain a 4th appliance and crew it then....that cover's 2 alarms.


Dad's army, no more.


And CrashNDash....Too right about the "bad name" if you say sensible things...I'm over caring about that..

You're only getting a bad name because of the lack of sensible things...

Are you actually suggesting that:

A crew and appliance that can be on scene before the current crew get to the station
A guaranteed response, with guaranteed CABA/Rescue operators
Appliances that are built for the risk they are covering
Pumping and Aerial appliances

Is a REDUCTION in service? Do you want to rethink that "Sensible" word again?

How does Mt. Barker with 4 appliances equate to a self sustained 2nd alarm Structural response? Go read your books again! Its not just about the number of appliances, but also CABA and crew...

[BundyBear]

I'm not doubting the crew at Mount Barker do anything but a sterling effort but why is there such an out cry from punters on here about having MFS (paid) in such a large country town. So what if a paid station costs money is that not a bad thing to create employment and take some of the heat off the CFS guys at Barker.

Pity CFS corporate does not push for paid or retained CFS stations, there is only so much you can expect for free!

[big bronto]

Yesterday was another situation that highlighted SA needing some sort of paid fire service in large country centres to get a sufficient response for fires.

Chirst would someone tell the MFESB that they've got our damn Grand Prix, so can they leave poor SA alone? Mind you, if you went to the UFU about it...

Interesting comment go to the UFU about it well it seems to work and they are getting good pay, conditions and manning in Victoria


Mt Barker can easily gain a 4th appliance and crew it then....that cover's 2 alarms.

What is Mt Barker getting a 4th appliance going to solve. For example the day of this 3rd alarm they had a manning of 7 on 2 trucks. say it was the day before or a week later and they only had a manning of 2 and there back up was the same then I am sure the business owners around that industrial estate would be a tad worried this is there coverage. Mt Barker will eventually have to staff 2 trucks with the MFS to cover both the town and surrounding rescue area. Meadows, stirling, lobethal, strath ses and even mt barker have struggled to provide sufficient rescue crews in the past year during the day. Take CFA for example they will have up to 2000 staff in Victoria to not only support majors towns but to respond up to 30km out of their primary area to support the volunteers.

[6739264]

Interesting comment go to the UFU about it well it seems to work and they are getting good pay, conditions and manning in Victoria.

If you glance skyward, you may notice my point passing over your head at its cruising altitude of around 30,000ft

[F7]

I am not sure of how many of you were there but for those of us who were it was noticed that nairne followed barkers second truck in wich had BA wearers on it, these people were the 3rd team to go onto the scene wearing BA. I will admit there were a few other brigades who did not bring the required BA users and took a long time to arrive, you will also find that nairne and barker get along very well and we even have members who are with both brigades so if you want the truth ask them.

Regarding the grass fire at blakiston on norriss rd there were a few appliances who were tied up at the factory fire and had to make up and then leave the scene and go mobile, It was also noticed that as nairne and echunga appliances were very and i mean very close behind barker 24 and it is common sense not to overtake another appliance to a job hence why nairne stayed behind barker 24.

Just my thoughts

[uniden]

Yesterday was another situation that highlighted SA needing some sort of paid fire service in large country centres to get a sufficient response for fires.

Chirst would someone tell the MFESB that they've got our damn Grand Prix, so can they leave poor SA alone? Mind you, if you went to the UFU about it...

Interesting comment go to the UFU about it well it seems to work and they are getting good pay, conditions and manning in Victoria


Mt Barker can easily gain a 4th appliance and crew it then....that cover's 2 alarms.

What is Mt Barker getting a 4th appliance going to solve. For example the day of this 3rd alarm they had a manning of 7 on 2 trucks. say it was the day before or a week later and they only had a manning of 2 and there back up was the same then I am sure the business owners around that industrial estate would be a tad worried this is there coverage. Mt Barker will eventually have to staff 2 trucks with the MFS to cover both the town and surrounding rescue area. Meadows, stirling, lobethal, strath ses and even mt barker have struggled to provide sufficient rescue crews in the past year during the day. Take CFA for example they will have up to 2000 staff in Victoria to not only support majors towns but to respond up to 30km out of their primary area to support the volunteers.

Dont they have people on a roster system to guarantee minimum manning on their appliances ? (Barker) Or am I missing something here.

[Darren]

They do after 2000 hrs until 0800 in the morning.

[Zippy]

Rostering System obviously does two things...ensure's crew's...Let's the others sleep till A shift responded.

[6739264]

"In theory" it allows for a minimum crew. There are still times when they are very, very light on.

[crashndash]

"In theory" it allows for a minimum crew. There are still times when they are very, very light on.

so that would be a minimum of 4 crew would it?....the same as the jaffa coloured pumpers?......and light on means they cant provide MORE than 4?

so light on for crew = not being able to provide MORE than them what some want to replace them with?....interesting logic that

[6739264]

"In theory" it allows for a minimum crew. There are still times when they are very, very light on.

so that would be a minimum of 4 crew would it?....the same as the jaffa coloured pumpers?......and light on means they cant provide MORE than 4?

so light on for crew = not being able to provide MORE than them what some want to replace them with?....interesting logic that

No, that would be "In theory it allows for a minimum of 4 crew" but there are times when it falls below that.

And don't forget some want to replace them with atleast four dudes sitting at the station, not 4+ minutes away ;)